I would be safe on Castlebay Island.

That was what I had to keep telling myself. It didn't matter that I was leaving everything familiar behind. It didn't matter I wouldn't see my friends and family for a long time. What mattered was that I was going somewhere where nobody knew me. And I would be safe.

I locked my gaze on the single plasma screen above the gate, flickering with alternate arrival and departure times. There was only one flight out to Castlebay today (mine) and one coming back, about two hours later. And that was it. Then again, the airport was small – converted out of an old barn – and not even in use during the winter months. That was the one part I still hadn't made peace with. The fact that there would be a period of three months where the island, my new home, would be completely cut off from everybody else in the world.

My leg cramped, the squeeze of pain sobering. I unfolded myself from the blue fabric seat and walked a few paces until it subsided. I wanted to go further, wander up to the viewing platform, watch the plane get prepped, buy some water from the vendor outside, but I couldn't leave my bag unattended. They didn't check luggage in – the hold was reserved for shipments and mail. The entire operation seemed to work on best intentions and an inflated sense of trust.

"Attention passengers, Flight N64 from Doveport Town to Castlebay Island is now departing from Gate One. All passengers please ensure you have tickets and photographic identification ready."

There was one other passenger boarding. A young man whose skinny frame supported a bag nearly the full length of his body. His clothes were casual, but looked brand-new, immaculately coordinated. A camera swung over his shoulder – a proper one, large and expensive. Despite it, he barrelled ahead of me and shoved his ticket at the lone staff member propped up at the doorway. He was out the door and marching towards the plane in a matter of moments.

The staff member motioned to me. "Ticket and identification, please."

I handed both over, fighting to keep my face neutral, stop the redness from staining my cheeks. A blot of fear battled to take me over, like a drop of ink in a glass of water. Please don't look too closely. We'd tried so hard to make it look natural and authentic. If it all got blown now, what else could I do?

The worker handed both back to me. "All seems to be in order. Thank you, Miss, uh…"

"Aisling. Pronounced like Ash-lin," I enunciated. It had taken me long enough to get used to it, unsticking my tongue over the unfamiliar sounds. I hadn't picked it. If it had been my choice, I would have picked something simpler. Less flamboyant.

"Thank you. Please enjoy your stay on Castlebay Island." When I hesitated, intimidated by the openness, he coaxed me again. "Best to get a move on, Miss, the weather's going to take a turn soon."

I blinked. The warmth was generous and sweetened, the rays of sun unfettered. A cool wind flirted with the seasonal flowers, saucer-shaped and spirited with movement. It had been the same for the past week. Barely a cloud in the sky. Was he seeing the same things I was?

"Weather changes quick out these parts, Miss Aisling," he explained, smiling wanly. "Some of us got a sixth sense for this stuff. Don't worry, we just like to be safe."

My fingers clenched around the ticket and ID. "I see. Is there anything else that's not… safe about Castlebay Island?"

The staff worker brightened. "Oh, not once you're on the island, Miss Aisling. Safe as houses. Just between you and me…" he beckoned me forward, conspiringly. "Nothing ever happens on Castlebay Island."

A smile crept onto my face. It sounded perfect.

"Have a pleasant flight, Miss Aisling."

I shouldered my bag and looked towards the plane. My feet moved as if they had a mind of their own from the sleek, gleaming tiles onto the dark tarred road. The air was hotter here, thick with the acrid smell of diesel. It was hard to believe I was leaving my hometown, heading to some tiny spit of land in the middle of the ocean. A new start. A safe place. A chance to start again.

I started walking, the first steps towards a new life.

Author's Notes

Hello everyone and welcome to my Animal Crossing New Horizons murder mystery story!

Thank you to Andre Segers on Twitter who originally posted the idea of an Animal Crossing murder mystery story! And for everyone on tumblr who liked, reblogged and supported the idea. I hope if any of you came to read it that I didn't disappoint you.

This is just a short prologue so I'll be writing and updating as I can. Hoping to get another chapter up in a week or so, once I've ironed out a few more chinks in my outlining.

Thank you for reading, everyone!